Hair cutter



March 10, 1925.

W. J. VAN OSDEL HAIR CUTTER Filed Sept. 15, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 10, 1925.

w. J. VAN OSDE'L HA IR CUTTER Filed Sept. 15, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Mar. 10,1925

STA res 1,528,804 PATENT oFFlcs.

WILLIAM J. VAN osL L, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF T0 LoiIIs STERLING, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

HAIR CUTTER.

Application filed September 15, 1923. Serial No. 662,956.

To-aZZ whom it may concern..-

Be it known that I, XVILLIAM J. VAN

OSDEL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county ofCook and State of Illinois, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Hair Cutters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hair cutters, particularly adapted" though not necessarily limited in its use, for barbers.

In power actuated devices of this character there is provided a rapidly rotating driving mechanism and in the devices heretofore constructed, in which the driving mechanism has been encased within the handle of the device, considerable heat has been generated and is radiated through the handle of the device to the hand of the operator, with the result that after the device hasbeen used for a short time'the handle becomes heated to such an extent that the device is uncomfortable to handle.

It is one of the objects of the present invention to overcome these difliculties'and obiections and to provide an improved device of this character in which the driving mechanism is not only located within the handle but is mounted in a bearing so that the bearing and the operating mechanism may be bodily removed from the handle or casing as a unit. Furthermore the hearing or support for all of the operatingparts is held spaced from the walls of the handle or casing to form an air space therebetween and thereby prevent radiation of heat from the operating parts to the enclosing casing or handle.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character having a handle in the form of a casing, constructed and shape-d so as to fit comfortably in the hand of and whichmay be easily grasped by the operator, and at the same time the hand of the operator will be held in-a natural position to obviate cramping or tiring of the hand.

A further object is to provide an improved device of this character in which the handle is constructed of a light and durable substance of heat insulating material.

A-further object is to provide an improved apparatus of this character from which the operating parts may be readily removed and to which accessmay be readily had.

A further object-is to provide an improved device of this character which will be simple, durable, compact and light in construction and effective and'eflicient in operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful objects as will'appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the severaltparts hereinafter more fully described and-claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention, and in which I Figure 1 is a perspective View of a cutter of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a bottom plan view of Figure 1, with parts broken away.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 33, Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View taken on line 4t-4, Figure 5.

Figure 5 is a top plan view, with the cover of the casing or handle removed.

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view on line 66, Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective view of the bearing or support for the operating mechanism.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view of F igure 7.

Referring more particularly to the drawings the numeral 10-designates a, handle or casing which may be of any. desired size and is constructed of any suitable heat in sulating'material. Thefhandle is preferably of a' coflinshape, having a bulging portion 11 intermediate its ends and a tapering extremity 12. This handle is provided with a chamber 13 openingthrough the top'thereof and is provided with a closure 1d removably secured in position.

The base 15 of the casing is arranged at an angle or inclined with respect to the base 16' of the handle or casing and arranged within the inclined portion 15' are bearing members 17, which are preferably formed therein when the'handle or casing is constructed, the latter being preferably moulded. These'bearing members 17 project for slight distance beyond the base of the inclined portion 15, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, and are provided with internal screw threads adapted to receivescrews '18 which pass through a cutter member 19,1501

securing the'latter against the base portion 15. By reason of the projection of the taken.

bearings 17 beyond the face 15, the cutter member or plate 19 will be held spaced from the surface 19 to permit circulation of air therebetween. The plate 19 is of the ordinary and well-known construction and 00- operating therewith is a reciprocating cutter member 20, also of the ordinary and well-known construction. Anchored to the handle or casing 16, adjacent the forward end thereof, is a screw or post 21, having a threaded extremity adapted to receive a wing nut 22. The cover or closure 14 of the casing is provided with an opening 23 through which the post or bolt 21 projects, and a cap 24 is also provided with an open ing through which the post or bolt 21 passes so that when the wing nut 22 is screwed upon the end of the bolt 21, the cap 24 will serve as a means for holding the closure 14 in position.

Arranged within the chamber 13 is a support or bearing member designated generally by the reference numeral 25, which is provided with a chamber 26 opening through the top thereof and a base 27. Extending below the lower face of the base 27 are lugs or projections 28 preferably in the form of feet, which rest upon the bottom of the chamber 13, so as to hold the base of the bearing or support elevated above the bottom of the chamber 13 to form an air space 29 therebetween, and as shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 6. As a means for removably holding the hearing or support 25 within the chamber 13, fastening devices 30, preferably in the form of screws may be provided which pass through the base 16 of the casing or handle and into certain of the lugs or projections 28 on the bearing or support 25. The bearing or support 25 is of a height so as to stand within the chamber 13 and the upper surface thereof terminates short of the upper surface of the walls of the chamber so that the plate or closure 14 may be placed in position to close the chamber, and the bearing or support is of a width and length somewhat less than the respective width and length of the chamber 13, so as to be spaced therefrom, thereby rendering it possible for air to encompass the bearing or support within the cham ber 13.

Journaled in the bearing 25 is a shaft 31 having connected therewith a worm 32. The end of the shaft or worm 32 has a bearing preferably against a fibre washer 33 supported by the end wall 34 of the bearing or support 25. The other end of the shaft 31' passes through an opening 36 in the bearing 25 and is tubular as at 37 to receive the end of a flexible driving shaft (not shown) and if desired the end of the tubular portion 37 of the shaft 31 may be provided with a clutch face 38. A removable bearing 39 is preferably provided in the opening 36 between the shaft 31 and the bearing or sup-' port 25 and is removably secured in position by means of a suitable fastening device 40.

The opening 36 is of a diameter slightly greater than the exterior diameter of the worm 32 so that the latter may be passed through the opening 36 when it is placed in position and also permits of the removal of the worm when desired. The bearing or sleeve 39 serves as a means for preventing movement of the shaft 31 and worm 32 in a direction lengthwise of the their axes during the operation of the device.

The extremity of the tubular ent 37 of the shaft 31 terminates adjacent but is spaced from the end wall 41 of the chamber and in alinement with the opening through such wall. lVithin the opening is preferably arranged a collar or bearing member 42 removably secured in position by means of a suitable fastening device 43. lVith this construction it will be manifest that the end of a flexible driving shaft may be inserted through the collar or hearing 42 so as to be detachably connnected with the tubular extremity 37 of the shaft 31.

Arranged within the chamber 26 in the bearing or support 25 is a worm gear 44, which meshes with the Worm 32. This worm gear rotates about a stud 45 arranged uprightly within the chamber 26, and if desired the bearing 25 may be provided with a projection 46 extending below the lower surface of the bottom 27 of the bearing or support 25 and also preferably below the lower extremities of the lugs or projections 28 and is adapted to enter a suitable recess 49 of a considerably larger diameter and depth in the base 16 of the handle or casing 12, as shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 6. This projection 4.6 not only serves as a means for assisting in holding the bearing or support 25 in position but also serves as a bearing for a pin or staff 50, which may be provided if desired, to extend through the projection 46 and also into the lug or support 45 for re-enforcing the latter.

A lever 51 is provided with an opening intermediate its extremities and through which opening the screw or post 21 passes and the latter serves as a pivotal support for the lever. One end 52 of the lever 51 is connected with the reciprocating cutter member 20 preferably in the ordinary and usual manner. The other extremity of the lever 51 is bifurcated as at to receive a block or member 54, which is pivotally connected as at 55 with the gear 44 through the medium of the pin. This block or member 54 fits within the bifurcation 53 of the lever 51 so that when the gear 44 is rotated the lever 51 will be rocked about its pivot and a rapid reciprocating movement will be imparted to the cutter member 20.

As a means for maintaining the lever 51 in position and against accidental displace ment When'the closure 14 is removed from the chamber- 13, there may be provided a 21 above the lever 51 and preferably'rests i upon a shouldered portion 57-ofthescrew or bolt 21. The-opening 23 in'the closure lat is of such a diamet'er that the closure may be placed in position and removed Without in.-

terfering with the fastening collar or ring 56. l

i In use and when the parts-are assembled as --shovvn 11L Figure 4, the end of the flexible shaft may lieinserted through. the collar or bearing-42 inthe end of the handle or casing lOandconnected with the shaft 81, and

when the shaft. is rotated the Worm and worm gear =44 will also be rotated to rock the the palm of the hand will rest against the bulging :portion 11v thereof vand with the thumb and index fingerJgrasping the handle adjacent the rearedgeof the cutter blade 19.

The inclined -position-of the cutterblade 1.9 with respect to thehandle-or casing 12 permits the device to be ,held in a natural position and when not inuse the cutter may be, placed upon a;-.sup1t ort, so.that the cutter :blades-Willbe heldelevat'ed above the support. 1 If; desired. the bottom of the casing nor handlegmaywbeaenlarged:asat 58 so as to form a projection I beyond the. lower face and against which projection the device-Will rest when vplaced upon asupport. This projection orenlargement '58 alsoserves as, a means for providingsuflicient material adjacent the projection .46 of the bearing-or support 25 and; in which enlargement the recess 47 may be formed.

J Obviousl variouschan esma r'be made .3:

- inthe,details;ofconst-ruction and in the combination and 'arrangementcf the several parts, within thescope of the claims, Without departing from the spirit-of this invention.

- What is; claimed .as new, is

l. A cutter of the; characterdescribed emffor the cutter member, said driving mechanism being disposed entirely within the handle, a support also within the handle and upon which the driving mechanism is mounted, means detachably connecting the said driving means With-the cutter, said-support and the entire drivingmechanism being bodily removable as a unit from the handle, and means maintain ng said support and driving mechanism spaced from the Walls of the handle, the said handle being formed from heat insulating material.

4. A cutter of the character described embodying a reciprocating cutter element, a handle for the cutter, there being a chamber in the handle, drivingmechanism forthe said cutter element and disposed entirely Within the handle, a supporting bearing structure for the said driving mechanism, said bearing structure being disposed entirely Within the said chamber, means connecting the said driving mechanism with the said cutter, means holding thebearing structure spaced from the Walls of the chamber to form an air space there-around, said bearr ing structure and the entire drivino mechanism being removable as a unit from the said chamber, and a removable,closure for the chamber. 7

A cutter'of' the characterdescribed enibodying a reciprocating cutter element, a handle for the cutter, therebeing a chamber in thethandle, driving mechanism for the said cutter element and disposed entirely within the handle, a supporting bearing structure for the said driving 'mechanism,-said bearing structure being disposed entirely within the said chamber, meansconnecting thedriving IDQOllZLIllSIIL With the cutter, means holding the bearing structure spaced from the Walls of the chamber to form an air space therearound, said bearing structure and the entire driving mechanism being removable as a unit from the said chamber, and means permitting the connection of actuating means with the said driving mechanism and from the outside of the said chamber.

6. A cutter of the character described embodying an open chambered handle, a cutter connected with the handle, a supporting llO cal

all

bearing member removably secured within the chan'iber, the said member being spaced from the walls of the chamber, means for maintaining the member spaced from certain walls of the chamber, the said means including lugs or projections interposed between the bearing member and certain of the walls of the chamber, driving mechanism mounted upon the said bearing member, a closure for the chamber, and means permitting the connection oi actuating means with the said driving mechanism and from the outside of the said chamber.

7. A. cutter ot' the character described embodying an open chambered handle, a cutter connected with the handle, a supporting bearing member within the chamber, the said member being spaced from the walls of the chamber, means for maintaining the member spaced from certain walls at the chamber, the said means including lugs or projections interposed between the bearing member and certain of the walls ot the chamber, driving mechanism mounted upon the said bearing member, a. closure for the chamber, and means pern'iitting the connection of actuating means with the said driving mechanism and from the outside of the said chamber, the said bearing supporting member and the said driving mechanism being bodily removable as a unit from the said chamber.

8. A cutter of the character described embodying an open chambered handle, a cutter connected with the handle, a support removably secured in the chamber, driving mechanism mounted upon the support and embodying intermeshing gear formations, means connecting one of the elements of the driving mechanism with the cutter for op erating the latter, said support and said driving mechanism being bodily removable as a unit from the chamber, a. closure for the chamber, and means for actuating the said driving mechanism from the exterior of the chamber.

9. A cutter of the character described embodying an open chambered handle, a cutter connected with the handle, av support removably secured in the chamber, driving mechanism mounted upon the support and embodying intermes'hing gear formations, means connecting one of the elements of the driving mechanism with the cutter for operating the latter, said support and said driving mechanism being bodily removable as a unit from the chamber, a closure for the chamber, means for actuating the said driving mechanism from the exterior of the chamber, and means holding the said support spaced from the walls of the chamber.

10. A cutter of the character described embodying an open chambered handle, a cutter connected with the handle, a support removably secured in the chamber, driving mechanism mounted upon the support and embodying intermeshing gear formations, means connecting one of the elements of the driving mechanism with the cutter for operating the latter, said support and said driving mechanism being bodily ren'iovable as a unit from the chamber, a closure for the chamber, means for actuating the said driving mechanism from the exterior of the chamber, spacing means interposed between the said support and chamber wall for holding the latter spaced from the chamber wall, whereby an air space will be formed to encompass the said support, and means for securing the support in position.

11. A. cutter of the character described embodying a handle, a reciprocating cutter element connected therewith, actuating mechanism for the cutter element embodying a driving element, lever detach-ably connected with both of said elements, a support upon which the lever is pivotally and removably mounted, and a collar like element encompassing and frictionally gripping the support for maintaining the lever against accidental disengagement from the support.

12. A cutter of the character described embodying a. handle, a cutter element connected therewith, means for actuating the cutter, the said means embodying a lever like member, a supporting post, said post passing loosely through the lever for pivotally and removably supporting the latter, and a split spring collar like element encompassing the said post and frictiona-lly gripping the post for maintaining the lever against accidental displacement from the post.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, on this 13th day of September, A. D. 1923.

lVILLIAM J. VAN OSDEL. 

